Rowling said the prequel to the seven-part book series, which have already been turned into eight Warner Bros. movies, will “explore the previously untold story of Harry’s early years as an orphan and outcast.”

Veteran British theater producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender will co-producer with Rowling, who will not write, but collaborate with a writer. Neither the writer or director have been chosen yet, however, as the project will enter the development phase in 2014.

“Over the years I have received countless approaches about turning Harry Potter into a theatrical production, but Sonia and Colin’s vision was the only one that really made sense to me, and which had the sensitivity, intensity and intimacy I thought appropriate for bringing Harry’s story to the stage,” Rowling said in a statement. “After a year in gestation it is exciting to see this project moving on to the next phase. I’d like to thank Warner Bros. for their continuing support in this project.”